Witnesses said the man was ‘hitting cars’
10:33, 17 Jul 2026Updated 10:34, 17 Jul 2026
Officers pictured on the M5(Image: Submitted)
A man has been arrested after causing chaos on the M5 near Bridgwater yesterday, with witnesses claiming he was hitting cars and climbing on their roofs.
Avon and Somerset Police shut the M5 between Junctions 23 and 24 near Bridgwater at around 11.20pm on Thursday, July 16.
The force had received reports of a man walking on the carriageway and approaching vehicles. Witnesses reported the man ‘hitting cars’ adding he was seen on the roof of a vehicle on the M5.
They said: “Four officers got him off the roof and he was marched to the side of the road. You could hear him shouting but it didn’t make sense. At one point there was around eight officers around him in a circle.”
A car believed to belong to the same individual was also found abandoned on the southbound side.
The force said public safety was a priority and therefore a road closure was put in place while emergency services attended the scene.
The man was detained and initially taken to Musgrove Park Hospital.
Officers then arrested the man on suspicion of driving unfit through alcohol or drugs and transported to police custody, where he remains this morning.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “”A closure of the M5 was required between junctions 23 and 24 in Somerset last night (Thursday, July 16).
“We received reports of a man on foot on the carriageway and approaching vehicles. A car, believed to belong to the same individual, was also found abandoned on the southbound side.
“Public safety was our priority and therefore a road closure was required while emergency services attended the scene.
“The man was detained and initially taken to Musgrove Park Hospital.
“He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving unfit through alcohol or drugs and transported to police custody, where he remains.”
